2013 Laguna Youth Baseball Field Maintenance Instructions

Jason Dean 925-382-7004

Fields Hotline: 405-5682 (Fields Open or Closed?)*

*If conditions are wet please verify fields are open on LYB Website or Facebook/Twitter Pages as we sometimes elect to close our fields even if CSD says they are open.

1)      Pitchers Mound

a)      Use Landscape Rake to move dirt UP towards pitching rubber. Never rake down towards the grass.

b)      Sweep off rubber mats (Morse Park ONLY). Do Not Water the rubber mats!

c)      Any dirt on the grass lip around the mound should be broomed or raked back on to the dirt area

d)      Fill in the holes in the pitcher’s mound. If a hole is deeper than a couple of inches, scrape the soft dirt out of the hole, wet the hole then push a thin layer of dirt in and tamp it down watering again and then repeating until the hole is solidly filled.

e)      Level and tamp dirt flat in front of the rubber. Make sure all holes are filled on the pitchers mound

f)       Rake lightly for final finish and spray thoroughly (soak the mound when outside temp is warmer)

2)      Home Plate/Batters Box

a)      Use landscape rake to push dirt from areas behind the plate to fill in holes in the batters boxes and catcher’s box.

b)      Fill in the holes in both the batter’s box and the catcher’s box. If a hole is deeper than a couple of inches, scrape the soft dirt out of the hole, thoroughly soak, then push a thin layer of dirt in and tamp it down watering again and then repeating until the hole is filled solidly.

c)      Level the dirt around the plate with the landscape rake going in a circular pattern around the plate and spray thoroughly.

3)      First and Third Baselines

a)      Use a broom or spray hose to push dirt in the grass back into the base path, then drag or field rake lengthwise with the baseline.

b)      Use the hose and tamper to fill in any holes and finish with the field rake and thoroughly spray

4)      Infield

a)      Broom or spray hose to push dirt from the grass line back into the field

b)      Use the landscape rake to push dirt in from the outer parts of the infield toward the bases where dirt is typically displaced by sliding

c)      Use the hose and tamper to fill in any holes and finish with the landscape rake and thoroughly spray

d)      Drag the infield AFTER the bases have been removed starting on the inside and working your way out. Take care to avoid dragging closer than 1 foot from the grass line! NEVER run the drag up on the grass edges. Turn before hitting the grass edge with the drag and use the field rake at the outer edges

e)      Be sure the base pegs markers are clearly visible for the next game

f)       Finish with a thorough hose spraying of the complete infield

g)      SOAK HOME PLATE AREA IF YOU ARE THE LAST GAME OF THE DAY!!!

5)      Outfield

a)      Fill any holes with dirt and report any hazards

6)      When Fields Are Wet

a)      If you are just having practice, please allow field to dry and avoid wet areas

b)      DO NOT RAKE MUD and WET DIRT INTO THE GRASS 

c)      If you need the field for a game, rake and drag mud to dry dirt areas, mix with dry dirt, allow to dry as long as possible, then rake the dried dirt back into the area, tamp down and level out.

7)      Put away Equipment Properly

a)      Put rakes, shovels, and tools away along the side of the shed. Coil hose neatly.

b)      Put bases on shelf (NEVER PRY A STUCK BASE OFF OF A PEG! Leave it and call me!)

c)      Replace caps for base pegs and cover over with dirt to be level with the field.